Hymns, Selected and Original ‎#482

482. Vital spark of heavenly flame!

1 Vital spark of heavenly flame!
Quit, oh quit this mortal frame;
Trembling, hoping, ling'ring, flying,
O the pain, the bliss of dying!
Cease, fond nature, cease thy strife,
And let me languish into life.

2 Hark! they whisper, angels say,
"Sister spirit, come away;"
What is this absorbs me quite?
Steals my senses, shuts my sight.
Drowns my spirit, draws my breath!
Tell me, my soul, can this be death?

3 The world recedes, it disappears!
Heaven opens on my eyes--my ears
With sounds seraphic ring!
Lend, lend your wings, I mount! I fly!
O grave, where is thy victory?
O death, where is thy sting?

Text Information

• First Line: Vital spark of heavenly flame!
• Meter: P. M.
• Publication Date: 1828
• Topic: Christian experience: Christian in the prospect of death; Dying Saint to his Soul

Tune Information

(No tune information)